The Hebrew word çûwr, represented by H5493, is a primitive root meaning to turn off or depart, both literally and figuratively. It appears 308 times in 283 unique verses in the Bible, demonstrating its wide application. The term can describe a physical turning aside, but more often it signifies a moral or spiritual departure, such as turning away from evil, a command, or from God himself.
The versatility of H5493 extends to its use in various grammatical forms, particularly the Hif'il stem, which often conveys a causative sense. This is evident when an agent actively "removes" or "takes away" something. For instance, Pharaoh commands Moses to "take away H5493 the frogs" Exodus 8:8, and later, the LORD "removed H5493 the swarms of flies" Exodus 8:31. Similarly, human agents are instructed to "put away H5493" specific items, such as Hannah's wine 1 Samuel 1:14 or David's armor 1 Samuel 17:39. Beyond direct removal, H5493 also describes a physical "turning aside" from a path or direction, whether intentional, as when Moses "turned aside H5493" to see the burning bush Exodus 3:3, or unintentional, as when the ark was "carried it aside H5493" into Obededom's house 1 Chronicles 13:13. This range from deliberate physical redirection to active removal underscores the word's fundamental meaning of causing something to move away from its current position or course.
In the biblical narrative, H5493 is used in several key contexts. It is frequently used as a command to depart from evil, as seen in the description of Job as one who "feared God, and eschewed H5493 evil" Job 1:1 and in the exhortation to "fear the LORD, and depart H5493 from evil" Proverbs 3:7. The word also describes God's actions of removing hindrances, such as when He promises to "take away H5493 the stony heart" (Ezekiel 36:26, Ezekiel 11:19) and "take H5493 sickness away" Exodus 23:25. Conversely, it illustrates humanity's tendency to depart from God and His commands, as when a person's heart "departeth H5493 from the LORD" Jeremiah 17:5 or when Israel is warned not to "turn not aside H5493 from the commandment" Deuteronomy 17:20. It also carries the concrete instruction to "put away H5493" foreign gods (1 Samuel 7:3; Genesis 35:2).
The concept of removal via H5493 is also powerfully employed in contexts of divine judgment and the consequences of disobedience. God declares He will "remove H5493 Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed H5493 Israel" 2 Kings 23:27, illustrating the ultimate consequence of turning away from Him. Conversely, the absence of departure from God's commands is presented as a mark of righteousness, as seen in David, who "turned not aside H5493 from any thing that he commanded him" 1 Kings 15:5, and Josiah, who "turned not aside H5493 to the right hand or to the left" 2 Kings 22:2. Furthermore, H5493 is used in prophetic visions concerning significant removals, such as the "daily sacrifice shall be taken away H5493" in Daniel's prophecy Daniel 11:31, marking a pivotal event in redemptive history. This broad application highlights H5493 as a key term for understanding divine action, human responsibility, and historical shifts within the biblical narrative.
Several related words expand upon the concepts of turning and departure:
- H7725 shûwb (to turn back): This term often serves as the direct counterpart to departing. While H5493 describes turning away, H7725 is the call to return. This dynamic is clear in Malachi 3:7, where the people are told they have "gone away H5493" but are invited to "Return H7725" to God.
- H7451 raʻ (evil): This word frequently appears as the object from which one must depart. The command "Depart H5493 from evil H7451" is a recurring theme, highlighting a core moral application of H5493 (Psalms 34:14; Proverbs 3:7).
- H8104 shâmar (to keep, guard): This term represents the active preservation that prevents unwanted departure. In Deuteronomy 4:9, the people are instructed to "keep H8104" their souls diligently, so that the things they have seen do not "depart H5493" from their hearts.
- H5472 çûwg (to go back, become apostate): This root shares a strong semantic overlap with H5493 in describing a turning away, particularly in a negative moral or spiritual sense, often implying a backsliding or degeneration from a proper path. While H5493 can be a single act of departure, H5472 often emphasizes the process or state of turning away from a commitment.
- H5477 çûwach (to wipe away): This term highlights the active removal or cleansing aspect inherent in some uses of H5493, especially when God is the agent. Where H5493 can mean to "take away" or "put away" an undesirable element, H5477 emphasizes the thoroughness of this removal, like wiping a surface clean.
The theological weight of H5493 is significant, defining the dynamics of the covenant relationship between God and humanity.
- The Heart's Allegiance: The act of turning away or departing is fundamentally an issue of the heart. A person is cursed whose heart "departeth H5493 from the LORD" Jeremiah 17:5. Conversely, God's redemptive work involves a heart transformation, where He promises to "take away H5493 the stony heart" Ezekiel 36:26 and make a covenant ensuring His people "shall not depart H5493 from me" Jeremiah 32:40.
- A Condition for Blessing: To depart from evil is consistently linked with wisdom and divine favor. Job is praised for "escheweth H5493 evil" Job 1:8, and wisdom literature states that "to depart H5493 from evil is understanding" Job 28:28. Those who serve God are promised He will "take H5493 sickness away" Exodus 23:25, whereas those who "turneth away H5493 his ear from hearing the law" find their prayers are an abomination Proverbs 28:9.
- Sanctification and Purity: The call to put away or remove impurity is a foundational step toward holiness. This includes putting away idols Genesis 35:2, the "evil of your doings" Isaiah 1:16, and even the "foreskins of your heart" Jeremiah 4:4. God's act of taking away iniquity is depicted as removing filthy garments, signifying purification Zechariah 3:4.
- Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The word H5493 underscores God's sovereign authority to remove nations, individuals, or even blessings as a consequence of sin and covenant unfaithfulness. The LORD's anger against Israel led Him to "removed H5493 them out of his sight" 2 Kings 17:18, and He warns of a "woe also to them when I depart H5493 from them!" Hosea 9:12, signifying a profound loss of divine presence and protection.
- Leadership and Covenant Fidelity: H5493 is frequently employed to describe the actions of righteous kings and leaders who actively "take away H5493" or "remove H5493" idols, high places, and other abominations from the land. This is a demonstration of their commitment to covenant fidelity and a practical outworking of the command to depart from evil, as seen in Asa who "took away H5493 the sodomites out of the land, and removed H5493 all the idols" 1 Kings 15:12, and Josiah who "took away H5493 all the abominations" 2 Chronicles 34:33.
The Hebrew root H5493 çûwr is a multifaceted term that encompasses a broad spectrum of meanings related to turning, departing, and removing. At its core, it signifies a movement away from a designated point or path, whether physically, morally, or spiritually. This movement can be a simple act of turning aside, as seen when Moses "turned aside H5493" to observe the burning bush Exodus 3:3, or a deliberate removal of objects or people, such as kings "taking away H5493" opposing forces 1 Kings 20:24 or individuals "putting away H5493" their garments Genesis 38:14. The causative Hif'il stem frequently highlights an agent's active role in causing something to be taken away, from Pharaoh's desire for the frogs to "depart H5493" Exodus 8:8 to God's act of "removing H5493" the swarms of flies Exodus 8:31.
The theological implications of H5493 are profound, defining the very nature of the covenant relationship. It delineates humanity's critical choice to "depart H5493" from God's commands or, conversely, to "depart H5493" from evil, a path consistently linked with wisdom and divine favor. The word also powerfully describes God's redemptive work in actively "taking away H5493" burdens, sin, and the "stony heart" Ezekiel 36:26, offering a path to sanctification and purity. However, it equally portrays divine judgment, where God "removes H5493" unfaithful nations from His sight 2 Kings 17:18, or a spiritual presence "departing H5493" from individuals like Saul 1 Samuel 16:14.
H5493 illuminates the responsibility of leadership in maintaining covenant fidelity, as exemplified by righteous kings who diligently "removed H5493" idols and high places from the land 1 Kings 15:12. The negative command not to "turn aside H5493" from God's law becomes a benchmark for obedience and integrity, reflecting a heart steadfastly committed to the divine will, as seen in David's faithfulness 1 Kings 15:5. In essence, çûwr functions as a pivotal term that marks the direction of one's spiritual journey—either towards God in obedience and purification, or away from Him in rebellion and judgment—and the decisive actions, both human and divine, that shape that course.
TRV